GREEN BAY - Surely the Green Bay Packers never thought they would be in this position, with the ball on their own 21-yard line and needing a score in overtime to beat the winless, hapless and — until Sunday — touchdown-less Cincinnati Bengals. But such was the scenario facing quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his makeshift offensive line and wounded group of receivers.

With left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and wide receiver Randall Cobb (chest) ruled out before the game started, and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (ankle) having dropped out in the second half, Rodgers needed a bit of magic to prevent an embarrassing loss.

On third and 10, Rodgers induced a neutral-zone infraction and generated one of his trademark free plays. He heaved deep down the left sideline to wide receiver Geronimo Allison, who was wide open behind the unsuspecting coverage. Allison zig-zagged his way for 72 yards to the Cincinnati 7-yard line as the crowd at Lambeau Field resurrected its belief.

Kicker Mason Crosby connected on a 27-yard field goal to secure the win, 27-24.

Trust issues: Even with starting corner Davon House sidelined by a quadriceps injury, defensive coordinator Dom Capers had plenty of options to choose from during the week. His cornerback group still contained Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Kevin King, Josh Hawkins and Lenzy Pipkins. But the defensive alignment for the Packers told you what little trust Capers has in several of the aforementioned players. The nickel defense against the Bengals featured King and Randall as the top two cornerbacks with safety Morgan Burnett playing as the slot corner — with Rollins and Hawkins left watching from the sideline. This allowed Capers to use rookie Josh Jones as the nitro linebacker alongside Blake Martinez and bring safety Marwin Evans onto the field to play with starter Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Growing up fast: It’s amazing how much can change in three weeks. When the Packers opened their season against the Seattle Seahawks, neither Kevin King nor Josh Jones played major roles in the defensive game plan. By the time Sunday’s game ended, it’s clear the Packers need every ounce of effort those two rookies can provide. Capers turned to King as his primary option against wide receiver A.J. Green, one of the best players in the league. Green made his plays at times — he finished with 10 catches for 111 yards and one score — but the fact that King drew the assignment is a reflection of his standing with the coaches. Jones, meanwhile, was everywhere for the Packers. He sliced into the backfield for a one-handed tackle against the run, he beat tight end Tyler Kroft on the left side for a sack of quarterback Andy Dalton and he flew in off the slot for another sack of Dalton with Burnett converging at the same time. Jones finished with 12 tackles (including three for loss) and assured the coaches of his spot on the field.

Streak snapped: Not since 2009 had Rodgers watched one of his interceptions returned the other way for a touchdown — at least not a touchdown that stood. Defensive tackle Nazair Jones of the Seahawks picked off Rodgers in Week 1 and returned the ball 64 yards for a touchdown. An illegal block above the waist wiped that touchdown off the scoreboard. Sunday, however, the Bengals completed what the Seahawks nearly finished. Cornerback William Jackson undercut a pass intended for wide receiver Jordy Nelson early in the second quarter and returned the ball 75 yards for a touchdown. Jackson joined former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson as the only players to notch a pick-6 on Rodgers. The score gave the Bengals a 21-7 lead.

Plugging the wound: There is no questioning the resiliency and fortitude of backup lineman Kyle Murphy after the way his season has started. Murphy, who entered camp as the No. 7 lineman, started at right tackle in Week 1 before switching to left tackle in each of the last two games. But Murphy is nowhere near the level of starter David Bakhtiari, and whether he’ll ever get there shouldn’t be answered for another few years at least. Murphy had some serious struggles against the Bengals, particularly when matched with rookie Carl Lawson from Auburn. Lawson finished with 2 1/2 sacks of Rodgers, all of which came against Murphy and stalled drives. In total, the Bengals sacked Rodgers six times.

Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones (27) celebrates after a sack in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) watches the video board during a review against the Cincinnati Bengals in the third quarter on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) is all smiles as he leaves the field following his game-winning field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) rushes against the Cincinnati Bengals in the third quarter on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks off field after a dropped pass in the second quarter Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) runs an interception back for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Cincinnati Bengals players celebrate with running back Giovani Bernard (25) after Bernard scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Green Bay Packers offensive guard Lane Taylor (65) leaves the field after getting injured late in the second quarter Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson returns an interception 75 yards for a touchdown in the first half against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is down by contact on the one yard line against Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Shawn Williams Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The call was originally called a fumble, but was called back.
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is down by contact on the one yard line against Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Shawn Williams Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The call was originally called a fumble, but was called back.
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Green Bay Packers tight end Lance Kendricks does a Lambeau Leap after catching a 1-yard TD pass in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field.
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The Cincinnati Bengals are shows during the national anthem before their game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. NFL players responded in full force Sunday after President Trump repeatedly called for swift punishment against those who chose to protest by not standing during the national anthem.
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Green Bay Packers players lock arms during the national anthem before their game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. NFL players responded in full force Sunday after President Trump repeatedly called for swift punishment against those who chose to protest by not standing during the national anthem.
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Members of the Green Bay Packers interlock their arms during the singing of the national anthem before their game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Woody and Sally Stellmacher of Bowler try to stay cool while tailgating before the Green Bay Packers play against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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Pat Letter, left, Rob Roskom and James Maas, right, show their team pride as they walk around Lambeau Field prior to the Green Bay Packers playing against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. All three are from Seymour, Wis.
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Green Bay Packes fan Tim Martin, left, of Brookfield high-fives his son Dylan Martin while playing foosball in the Titletown District Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
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